Andover Elementary School

 

Good morning

To:       Parents, Guardians and Students

From:   Dr. G.

Re:       Happy Summer, Read Every Day!

Date:    June 11, 2010

 

The 2009-2010 school year is quickly coming to an end.  As summer vacation begins, remember to set a minimum of thirty minutes a day aside to spend with a good friend, a book.  Reading on a daily basis is important in maintaining those skills developed during the academic year. Research proves that knowledge retention is greater in students who read every day than in those who take an extended break from reading.  In some cases, a thirty percent loss of knowledge has been attributed to students who take a vacation from reading.  Let’s make an effort to begin the good habit of reading for enjoyment that becomes second nature.

When school ends on Thursday, please remember that it will be a half-day.  It is important that children be in school that day, as teaching and learning will take place up to that final bell.  Any planned classroom party will last for approximately one hour – not span over several days.

Two beautiful days for this year’s sixth grade trips!  On Tuesday, the sixth grade took their science field trip to Groton, taking part in “Project O”.  The field trip included an on-shore classroom segment and an “on-board” classroom segment.  Students investigated the Sound’s estuary life and viewed, up close, the sea life that was hoisted by fishing nets.  Last week, the students visited New York City – for some it was a first-time experience.  The first stop was the UN – another first for students who have never left U.S. soil.  The tour was most informative.  I am sure any sixth grader can name the only three countries that do not belong to the UN, or for that matter, the total number of countries which do belong.  [Ask them the name of the five countries that hold permanent membership on the Security Council if you want to see if they were paying attention.]  From there, students took a ride through the city to Battery Park, where they boarded a boat for a trip out to Liberty Island, home of the Statue of Liberty.  The wait to enter the base of the Statue was approximately two hours (this, they skipped).  In order to walk up the mighty Miss, who stands 365 feet in the air, a reservation would have to be made several months in advance.  After lunch and a walk around the Statue, it was back on the boat and off to Ellis Island.

[Fact:  After the Ellis Island Immigration Center closed in the early 60’s, it was left to wither until 1980.  At that time, a complete restoration brought it back to the days when up to 5,000 immigrants were processed.  The website www.Ellisisland.org will help you get started if you are interested in tracing your ancestors who immigrated to the U.S. via Ellis Island.]  For those of you looking for a great daytrip this summer, take a Metro North out of New Haven for $26.00 roundtrip, off-peak time, or anytime Saturday and Sunday, which drops passengers at Grand Central Station.  Then, take a subway to Battery Park and a boat to Ellis Island.  Only the air transportation is missing from this trip!  A minimum of three hours is necessary to truly enjoy this historic site.

Tonight is the sixth grade Social, which starts at 6:30 p.m. and ends at 8:30 p.m.  Parents, please be prompt in picking up your children at the end of this function.

Thursday night, June 17th, will be the sixth graders’ big night, Step-Up.  Tickets are needed for the dinner which begins at 5:45 p.m. (up to 3 per family).  The ceremony begins at 7:00 p.m. sharp.  No tickets are needed for the actual ceremony.  Please note that all siblings are required to sit with parents during the ceremony.  Parents should reaffirm what we have been teaching the students this year as appropriate assembly behavior.  Accolades recognizing the accomplishments of the sixth graders, or assembly performers, should be limited to applause, as whistling, hooting and shouting are more appropriate for outdoor sporting events.

Below is a list of sixth grade students who will be recognized at the June 17th Step-Up ceremony. 

Kara Adams                 Sean Barry                   Steven Baver                Casey Bednarz

            Leah Breault                Ben Burke                    Madison Clark             Alison Conte

            Alex Damon                 Katelyn Donahue         Joe Doyle                     Dustin Dube

            Quinn Fahey                Dan Fogarty                 Christina Folsom          Sam Gagnon

            John Golemba              Damon Hatch               Hannah Holtsclaw       Michael Jacewicz

            Matthew Jahn              Lucas Knopf                 Olivia Kurtz                  Anson Kuzmickas

            Vanessa Landry           Mckenzie Maneggia      Tyler Mawdsley            Ansley McBride

            Jessica Merry               Bryce Moquin               Chelsea Mumley           Rachel Nelson

            Jordan O’Neill              Carli Palmer                 Joe Pastore                  Gordon Perrett

            Madison Phelps           William Plausse           Ryan Reed                   Carolyn Roberts

            Jacob Schluter              Ben Smith                    Jillian Smith                 Sarah Smith

            Devin St. Jean              Dalton Stein                 Joe Veronesi                 Emily Vieten

SCHOOL BEGINS ON AUGUST 30TH.  Next year’s calendar is posted on the Andover School website and includes half-days, holidays and vacation breaks to help facilitate daycare plans.  Please consult the calendar so that family vacations are planned during those periods, not during the time school is in session.  Office hours during the summer are 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

On behalf of Dr. Z., Mr. Maneggia and myself, we wish you a restful, happy and healthy summer.  Be careful on your bikes and always ride with a helmet on (not attached to the handle bars)!  Never swim alone!  Look both ways before crossing the street!  Never play with fire!  Stay away from fireworks!  Report to your parents or an adult anything that makes you uncomfortable or afraid.  Make books your best friend – spend at least 30 minutes reading every day.  Have fun with your families and drop me an email, with your parents’ permission, to tell me what exciting things you are doing.  See you in August!

____________________________________

John Golemba, recipient of   the                               Carli Palmer, recipient of the

 

Superintendent’s Award                                            Superintendent’s Award   

Sixth graders strike a pose in NY.

 

 

Project O was a fun-filled learning adventure for students in sixth grade last Tuesday.

 

 

 

 

Field Day was a great success thanks to                  Ms. Krinjak, a bit tearful, as a sixth

Mr. Moynihan, staff, parent volunteers                  grader reads her yearbook dedication.

and the help to run the stations given by

the fifth and sixth grade.  After Field Day,

the fifth and sixth graders (with help from

a few teachers) played the Annual Kickball

Game, with the sixth graders coming out

on top – 5 to 2.  Nice going!

As we end the 2009-2010 academic year, we say goodbye and good luck in retirement, Mr. Caron & Ms. Krinjak.  Thank you for all you have done for the children of Andover in your combined 62 years of teaching at Andover Elementary.  We will miss you Mr. Caron (38 years) & Ms. Krinjak (24 years)!!!